Eltham - Old R.C. Church (building not there in 1923). The original St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (1865-1912) was built of clay brick with buttress walls and a slate roof on the corner of Fordhams Road and Maria Street (Main Road), Eltham South, opposite the present-day Wingrove Park. It was blessed on September 3, 1865. With the arrival of the railway in 1901 and the town centre moving closer to the station, the decision was made to relocate the site of the church to its present-day location on Henry Street at the corner of Main Road. A new timber weatherboard church, also called St Mary's was erected and blessed on October 13, 1912. The church and land cost £1,400 (Evelyn Observer). The original brick church It was demolished in the 1920s and the bricks and windows were recycled to build a dairy on the Brinkkotter farm at Research. The timber church was destroyed by fire in 1961 and a new modern architectural (1960s) style church was erected in its place and named Our Lady of Help Christians Church.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, roman catholic church, catholic church, church, main road, st marys catholic church

Sending postcards to family and friends including short messages was a common form of communication in the early 20th century from 1905 to the 1940s. Many were collected and kept in albums. This scene is viewed looking north along Main Road from near Bridge Street. The old Baker’s shop (Burgoyne’s store) on the corner of York is on the right. Also visible is the footpath dug by hand c.1906 between Yoirk Street and Bridge Street. On the left is ‘Derril’ or more commonly known as the Gahan House after it was purchased by Walter Ernest and Alice Miriam Gahan in 1924, on the western side of Main Road near the present-day site of Shillinglaw Cottage where they remained till about 1960 when Walter died. The house was demolished in 1968 during the widening of Main Road. In the distance on the bend is the Shillinglaw cottage with the Shillinglaw trees out front of the cottage. On the eastern side at the top of the hill (visible immediately to the left of the bakery) is the new St Mary’s Catholic Church on Henry Street near Main Road. The church site was relocated c.1912 from further south along Main Road (near Wingrove Cottage) in order to be more central to the congregation following the shifting of the township away from Little Eltham and closer to the railway station. It was subsequently destroyed by fire in 1961. On the back of the postcard is written: Printed Post Empire Care - correspondence - Address only - stamp Written in ink: 15 ? 1920 Many happy of the day I hope you and ? will have a very pleasant trip ? a great time when you reach England. ? & best wishes from your sincere friend E Harper?This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg Sepia Postcard 9 x 14 cm 35mm positive transparencyshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, gahan house, bakery, footpath, postcard, shillinglaw cottage, shillinglaw trees, st marys catholic church, york street, michael aitken collection

Looking north from the corner of Bridge street The photo was possibly taken by John Henry Clark of Clark Bros Photographers who operated from 25 Thompson Street, Windsor near Prahan 1894-1914.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image (x2) 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, gas lamp, street lamp, horse drawn vehicles, bakery, old bakery cottage, shillinglaw cottage, shillinglaw trees, clark bros. photo

The intersection of Arthur Street and Main Road Eltham, January 4, 1968. The Eltham Shire Council hall and offices on the right hand side. The Hall was also a cinema and operated as the Plaza Theatre from 1943 to about 1968. A truck with a water tank is on the left of the street, possibly cleaning the street. Note Cinema sign on hall. Copied from an original document produced by Ian McDonald (Eltham Shire Council) 1970. During the period 1969-1971 photos were being collected for a proposed publication on the history of the Shire of Eltham as part of its centenary celebrations in 1971 (managed by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society and Alan Marshall). The publication was Pioneers & Painters (1971), edited by Alan Marshall. The document titled "Shows area sold to Woolworths" consisted of a panorama of three B&W photo prints creating a panorama of the frontage along Main Road (SEPP_0744) and a single B&W photo print of the Shire of Eltham offices and Hall on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road (SEPP_0737) along with typed and hand written notes by Ian McDonald. The panorama (SEPP_0744) was captioned in typewritten text "Old Shire Office and Hall, etc - Frontage of 285 feet along Main Road" and in pencil the date "4-1-68" The single image of the shire offices (SEPP_0737) was captioned in typewritten text "Main Road and Arthur Street Corner" In addition, the following handwritten notes in pencil: " I took these photos from the new fire station - the building in the middle is the old fire station - Moved to Research for the Scouts 1970" and signed "IMcD"This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, arthur street, cinema, eltham hall, main road, shire hall, motion picture theartre, plaza theatre

L-R: Former Shire Hall and Shire Office, Photographer shop, Barber shop, Fire Station, Hardware shop and Commercial Bank of Australia. Copied from an original document produced by Ian McDonald (Eltham Shire Council) 1970. During the period 1969-1971 photos were being collected for a proposed publication on the history of the Shire of Eltham as part of its centenary celebrations in 1971 (managed by the Shire of Eltham Historical Society and Alan Marshall). The publication was Pioneers & Painters (1971), edited by Alan Marshall. The document titled "Shows area sold to Woolworths" consisted of a panorama of three B&W photo prints creating a panorama of the frontage along Main Road (SEPP_0744) and a single B&W photo print of the Shire of Eltham offices and Hall on the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road (SEPP_0737) along with typed and hand written notes by Ian McDonald. The panorama (SEPP_0744) was captioned in typewritten text "Old Shire Office and Hall, etc - Frontage of 285 feet along Main Road" and in pencil the date "4-1-68" The single image of the shire offices (SEPP_0737) was captioned in typewritten text "Main Road and Arthur Street Corner" In addition, the following handwritten notes in pencil: " I took these photos from the new fire station - the building in the middle is the old fire station - Moved to Research for the Scouts 1970" and signed "IMcD"This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, main road, arthur street, dudley street

[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, russell yeoman, matthew smith

[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, opal smith, eileen gibbons, flo spicer

[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, bruce ness

[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, opal smith

[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, sue law, garnet burges

[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, sue law, victorian folk music club

[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, sue law, garnet burges

[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, russell yeoman, matthew smith

[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, jock read

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak GA 100 5095shire of eltham, grader towed, graders

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak GA 100 5095shire of eltham, grader towed, graders

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak GA 100 5095shire of eltham, grader towed, graders

Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 2 stripsKodak GA 100 5095shire of eltham, grader towed, graders

View of the old Burgoyne store looking south-east across Main Road, Eltham near the intersection with Bridge Street.Digital scan of painting c.1980 oil on board 44.5 x 59.5 cm signed lower rightburgoyne store, eltham, main road, ted dalton

Black and white photograph featuring a Cobb and Co coach drawn by four horses with a full complement of passengers in period clothing. Taken near the old bakehouse at the corner of Main Road and York Street. Part of a procession/parade.cobb and co, bakery, main road, york street, parade, procession, ersilac parade, horse drawn carriage

From a collection of 35 photos taken by Doug Orford at 35 specific locations along the exact boundary of the then Shire of Eltham.Colour photographbridges, hurstbridge - arthurs creek road, hurstbridge, burkes bridge, arthurs creek

From a collection of 35 photos taken by Doug Orford at 35 specific locations along the exact boundary of the then Shire of Eltham.Colour photographold kinglake road, steels creek

EDHS Newsletter No. 182, September 2008 In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith's notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that house is the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miners Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the house existed at that time. Birch died in 1932 and his daughter Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. The future of the cottage remains precarious because of its location on Crown land. In 2007 the Andrew Ross Museum began a campaign to ensure that it is preserved. It included a video presentation on the history of the cottage under the title of "This Old House- Birch Cottage". Black and white photographWilliams Cottage Panton Hill 1969 Not to be reproduced without permission G.W. Bell Photographer Elthamhouses, cottage, early settlers, yarra glen road, smiths gully, williams cottage, watsons creek, christmas hills, birch cottage, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch

EDHS Newsletter No. 182, September 2008 In the late 1970s when our Society was the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, an offer was made to the Society regarding use of an old cottage at Christmas Hills. For various reasons the offer ultimately lapsed The cottage sat beside Watsons Creek just outside the then Shire of Eltham but following municipal restructuring it now lies within the Shire of Nillumbik. At that time some research on the cottage was carried out for the Society by Keith Chappel as part of a larger research project that he was doing. Keith's notes were taken from Lands Department records and showed that house is the subject of a permissive occupancy of Crown land comprising the creek reserve. In 1903 a Miners Right of one acre in area was granted to Edwin Samuel Birch. In 1907 Birch applied to purchase this land but was unable to because it was part of the creek reserve. The documents show that the house existed at that time. Birch died in 1932 and his daughter Honor Mary Birch was granted a permit to occupy the residence. The future of the cottage remains precarious because of its location on Crown land. In 2007 the Andrew Ross Museum began a campaign to ensure that it is preserved. It included a video presentation on the history of the cottage under the title of "This Old House- Birch Cottage". Black and white photographWilliams Cottage Panton Hill 1969 Not to be reproduced without permission G.W. Bell Photographer Elthamhouses, cottage, early settlers, yarra glen road, smiths gully, williams cottage, watsons creek, christmas hills, birch cottage, edwin samuel birch, honor mary birch

Newsletter No. 116, September, 1997 846-848 MAIN ROAD ELTHAM Nillumbik Shire Council has granted a permit for a funeral parlour on land which includes this site at the corner of Main Road and York Street. The site contains an architect's office in a building which was formerly a shop and dwelling dating from the 1920's. The proposal requires demolition of this building which is one of the few remaining old shops which formed the rather spread out "town centre" of Eltham. Prior to making its decision the Council obtained a report from Graeme Butler and Associates, the heritage consultants who carried out Stage 1 of the Nillumbik Heritage Study. The report summarized the historical significance as follows:- "This brick comer shop with associated residence has potential local historical significance as a late 1920's grocer's shop, now much altered and one of only a few shops of that era left in Eltham's Main Road. This significance is qualified by the many changes. The other examples are better preserved and still function as shops." With this type of expert advice it is difficult to make a strong case for preservation of the building although, of course, it is a shame to see it demolished. The report includes details of the site itself and its history based on research carried out by Carlotta Kellaway. The building dates from the late 1920's when it was owned by C.R. Nicholls. From the early 1930's it was Charles Cockroft's grocery shop and he also ran a grain store there. According to his daughter, Edna Brown, he delivered groceries around the district taking his truck as far as Kangaroo Ground. In 1950 he shifted to Traralgon. Since then several different businesses have operated from the site including a bottle merchant and produce store. Conversion to the present office use involved alterations to the shop front and rebuilding the galvanized iron store at the rear. Newsletter 119 March 1998 In our Newsletter No. 116 it was reported that the former shop on the comer of Main Road and York Street, Eltham was to be demolished as part of a funeral parlour development. If you have passed the site recently you will have noticed that it has now been demolished - another part of the old Eltham township has disappeared.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 strips Also photographic prints 10 x 15 cmKodak Gold 200-6a.r. warren, eltham feed store, le pine funeral home, main road, york street, c.r. nicholls, charles cockcroft, grocery store

Newsletter No. 116, September, 1997 846-848 MAIN ROAD ELTHAM Nillumbik Shire Council has granted a permit for a funeral parlour on land which includes this site at the corner of Main Road and York Street. The site contains an architect's office in a building which was formerly a shop and dwelling dating from the 1920's. The proposal requires demolition of this building which is one of the few remaining old shops which formed the rather spread out "town centre" of Eltham. Prior to making its decision the Council obtained a report from Graeme Butler and Associates, the heritage consultants who carried out Stage 1 of the Nillumbik Heritage Study. The report summarized the historical significance as follows:- "This brick comer shop with associated residence has potential local historical significance as a late 1920's grocer's shop, now much altered and one of only a few shops of that era left in Eltham's Main Road. This significance is qualified by the many changes. The other examples are better preserved and still function as shops." With this type of expert advice it is difficult to make a strong case for preservation of the building although, of course, it is a shame to see it demolished. The report includes details of the site itself and its history based on research carried out by Carlotta Kellaway. The building dates from the late 1920's when it was owned by C.R. Nicholls. From the early 1930's it was Charles Cockroft's grocery shop and he also ran a grain store there. According to his daughter, Edna Brown, he delivered groceries around the district taking his truck as far as Kangaroo Ground. In 1950 he shifted to Traralgon. Since then several different businesses have operated from the site including a bottle merchant and produce store. Conversion to the present office use involved alterations to the shop front and rebuilding the galvanized iron store at the rear. Newsletter 119 March 1998 In our Newsletter No. 116 it was reported that the former shop on the comer of Main Road and York Street, Eltham was to be demolished as part of a funeral parlour development. If you have passed the site recently you will have noticed that it has now been demolished - another part of the old Eltham township has disappeared.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 strips Also photographic prints 10 x 15 cmKodak Gold 200-6a.r. warren, eltham feed store, le pine funeral home, main road, york street, c.r. nicholls, charles cockcroft, grocery store

Newsletter No. 116, September, 1997 846-848 MAIN ROAD ELTHAM Nillumbik Shire Council has granted a permit for a funeral parlour on land which includes this site at the corner of Main Road and York Street. The site contains an architect's office in a building which was formerly a shop and dwelling dating from the 1920's. The proposal requires demolition of this building which is one of the few remaining old shops which formed the rather spread out "town centre" of Eltham. Prior to making its decision the Council obtained a report from Graeme Butler and Associates, the heritage consultants who carried out Stage 1 of the Nillumbik Heritage Study. The report summarized the historical significance as follows:- "This brick comer shop with associated residence has potential local historical significance as a late 1920's grocer's shop, now much altered and one of only a few shops of that era left in Eltham's Main Road. This significance is qualified by the many changes. The other examples are better preserved and still function as shops." With this type of expert advice it is difficult to make a strong case for preservation of the building although, of course, it is a shame to see it demolished. The report includes details of the site itself and its history based on research carried out by Carlotta Kellaway. The building dates from the late 1920's when it was owned by C.R. Nicholls. From the early 1930's it was Charles Cockroft's grocery shop and he also ran a grain store there. According to his daughter, Edna Brown, he delivered groceries around the district taking his truck as far as Kangaroo Ground. In 1950 he shifted to Traralgon. Since then several different businesses have operated from the site including a bottle merchant and produce store. Conversion to the present office use involved alterations to the shop front and rebuilding the galvanized iron store at the rear. Newsletter 119 March 1998 In our Newsletter No. 116 it was reported that the former shop on the comer of Main Road and York Street, Eltham was to be demolished as part of a funeral parlour development. If you have passed the site recently you will have noticed that it has now been demolished - another part of the old Eltham township has disappeared.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 strips Also photographic prints 10 x 15 cmKodak Gold 200-6a.r. warren, eltham feed store, le pine funeral home, main road, york street, c.r. nicholls, charles cockcroft, grocery store

The former Police residence and Justice precinct including courthouse and stables) were being renovated for use by the Shire of Eltham. In 1998 the Police Residence was handed over to the Eltham District Historical Society for their use as a Local History Centre. Note that the replica police station to the right of the residence has not been constructed at this stage. The original timber station having been demolished due to termite action.Colour photographeltham, main road, police residence

The former Police residence and Justice precinct including courthouse and stables) were being renovated for use by the Shire of Eltham. In 1998 the Police Residence was handed over to the Eltham District Historical Society for their use as a Local History Centre. Note that the replica police station to the right of the residence has not been constructed at this stage. The original timber station having been demolished due to termite action.Colour photographeltham, main road, stables, police residence

Held in conjunction with Christmas break-up BBQ Newsletter No. 136, January 2001 President's Report At our break-up barbecue local Nillumbik Councillor, Diane Bullen of Mt Pleasant Ward, unveiled the sign. She spoke briefly on the history of the building's use since 1860 and also reminded us that the National Trust has recognised the building as being one of two oldest known police residences in the metropolitan area (the other being at Heidelberg).Colour photographeltham, main road, police residence, local history centre, eltham district historical society, activities, stables